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Michael Thomas reached behind a goal post to pull out a flip phone in homage to a memorable touchdown celebration of the past. Benjamin Watson used his touchdown catch to let everyone know that he and his wife are expecting 鈥?and it's going to be twins.That was cause enough for celebration itself on a feel-good weekend for the NFL. So Womens Malcom Brown 2019 Jersey , too, was that bettors in Las Vegas and elsewhere finally turned the tables and took the bookies for millions of dollars.They could have just as easily been popping champagne corks at NFL headquarters in New York. A season that began in turmoil has reached its midpoint and the league is riding a new high, with television ratings up and fans filling stadiums to cheer their favorite teams.Suddenly, the NFL is fun once again.It showed Sunday in a shootout in New Orleans that was widely entertaining even without the touchdown props. Then, if any further evidence was needed, it was provided in prime time when Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers squared off in a showdown of quarterback greats.Brady and the New England Patriots won that one, and once again are treating another visit to the Super Bowl as their birthright. Out west, meanwhile, the Rams are trying to win fans again in Los Angeles with a team that could find its way to Atlanta, too.And a new group of exciting young quarterbacks are letting everyone know the future of the sport is in good hands.What could go wrong? Well, plenty Youth Archie Manning Jersey , especially if President Trump takes an interest in the league once again.But these are good times for a league that has taken blow after blow the last few years only to emerge with its position of America's favorite sport safely intact."We're the best," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said at last month's owner meetings. "And I know that's ironic since we've had some criticism, too. But I think that's healthy."What is really healthy are offenses around the league, with scoring at record levels and 27 of 32 teams averaging more than 20 points a game. New rule changes designed to protect the quarterback and free up offenses have worked exactly as planned, despite some grumbling early by players upset they couldn't hit like they did in the past.Healthy indeed. Things are so good that even Roger Goodell couldn't mess it up.Actually, maybe he can. Not many were paying attention, but there were still a few protests during the anthem over the weekend and the issue is one presidential tweet away from blowing up once again.Meanwhile, Colin Kaepernick remains unemployed, something everyone in the league should be ashamed about.For now, though, the attention is on the game itself. And it can be argued that the game has never looked better.There's no confusion anymore about when a catch is really a catch White Michael Thomas Jersey , and even Clay Matthews of the Packers seems to have figured out how and when to safely take down the opposing quarterback.There are dominant teams on both coasts, and a few high scoring games that are reminiscent of the old American Football League. The concussion issue has subsided, though the disturbing fact remains players are still suffering from them 鈥?at great risk to their long term health.Even fans of the hapless Cleveland Browns have something to be happy about with a couple of wins and a couple coaches fired. They also have a franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield and a potential upside that's the envy of better teams.It didn't happen exactly by design. A lot of the NFL's good fortune is due to good luck and an unwillingness of fans to let go of their favorite sport despite its many flaws.There still is no real grand plan to end the protest debate, no long term solution to the fact football played at the highest level can shorten lives. The officiating continues to get in the way 鈥?often at just the wrong time 鈥?and there's a real chance games aren't played when the current collective bargaining agreement expires and players finally make a stand for guaranteed contracts.For now, though, those are distant threats. The league remains the most popular in the country by far, and the addition of legalized betting around the country will boost it even more just like fantasy football has done in recent years.What once looked like a season lost is now looking like a season to remember._Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at [email protected] or ://timdahlberg The defending champs are reeling and seem on the verge of receiving a knockout punch.An embarrassing 48-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints 鈥?the most lopsided defeat for a Super Bowl champion 鈥?left the Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) one loss from last place. They're optimistic because they are in control of their fading playoff hopes in a mediocre NFC East. But there's nothing positive to point at following a dismal loss to the Saints (9-1)."You can't hang your head," coach Doug Pederson said Monday. "If anybody does, and if anybody begins to sort of doubt, you don't need them. Because we believe, and I believe in those players Michael Thomas Jersey 2019 , I believe in those coaches. It's a group that is hurting. It's a group that will pick themselves up this week. They're not going to feel sorry for themselves and we'll get ready for the Giants."The Redskins (6-4) lead the division but just lost quarterback Alex Smith for the rest of the season. They'll face the Cowboys (5-5) for first place on Thursday. The Giants (3-7) visit Philadelphia on Sunday. If the Eagles win the last six games, they'll secure the East. But they look more like a team that can lose out than win six in a row.Carson Wentz played the worst game of his career in New Orleans, tossing three interceptions with a 31.9 passer rating. The offense managed only one touchdown, went three-and-out six times and continued spiraling downward. It barely resembles the group that outperformed the Patriots 41-33 in the Super Bowl.Running backs Jay Ajayi (torn ACL) and LeGarrette Blount (left in free agency), wide receiver Torrey Smith (traded to Carolina) and tight ends Trey Burton (left in free agency) and Brent Celek (released) are the skill players missing from that unit, along with Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, who is Wentz's backup. Undrafted rookie Josh Adams is the lead running back but the receiver corps was upgraded with the addition of wideout Golden Tate and rookie tight end Dallas Goedert.Yet, the offense has been out of sync all season. The Eagles have scored more than 24 points only once.Pederson was bothered more by the offense's performance against the Saints because Drew Brees and Co. have run through defenses all season."We had more plays out on the field that we left, so that's the disappointing thing, that we didn't do a better job offensively and score more points," Pederson said. "The 48 New Orleans Saints Eli Apple Jersey , they're a good football team. Let's not kid ourselves there. That's a good football team, and we knew we were going to have to score points."The offense's biggest problem has been slow starts. The Eagles have scored only 21 points in the first quarter, including 14 in one game. Against the Saints, their three first-quarter possession were two three-and-outs and an interception thrown into double coverage."We keep preaching. We keep talking. We keep practicing. We put our players in those positions to execute," Pederson said. "Sometimes I think because there's been so much made about the way we've started games differently than a year ago that sometimes you want to make the play. Players just need to make the plays that come to them and don't go looking for plays. There's enough out there that when the play comes, you make it, and it starts with the first play of the game."NOTES: Pederson said CB Rasul Douglas (leg) and DB Avonte Maddox (knee) and C Jason Kelce (elbow) are fine. CB Sidney Jones (ankle) and LB Jordan Hicks (calf) are week to week. LS Rick Lovato is in concussion protocol.